Arch Enemy

Evil Drive – Ragemaker Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on April 8, 2018 in 2018, Finnish Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Reaper Entertainment, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Thrash Metal, 29 comments

“Two years ago, Evil Drive gave me a lot to think about when it comes to female-fronted metal bands. Like Arch Enemy, this Finnish quintet’s vocalist (Viktoria Viren) is a combination of banshee and hellhound. And, for the most part, she even looks It. But, unlike Arch Enemy, Evil Drive sported an image for their debut that made The Land of the Dead the melodeath soundtrack to a fraternity-organized wet t-shirt contest. Which damn-near ruined a decent melodic death record for me. Well, the band is back with Ragemaker and, thankfully, all that nonsensical fluff is gone.” Road rage.

Bloodhunter – The End of Faith Review

By Lokasenna on November 5, 2017 in 2017, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Spanish Metal, Xtreem Music, Melodic Death Metal, 25 comments

“Unlike the more northerly regions of Europe, the Iberian Peninsula is not often thought of when the metal scene is considered as a whole. There are bands, many of them well-known and respected, but the area is not Germany or Finland. Thought of even less is the Galacia region of Spain. But all the same, it’s spat up a lively little melodic death three-piece (after some down-sizing) in Bloodhunter. The name might be a little silly, but the music is not, fusing a traditional Gothenberg sound with hints of mid-period Death for their sophomore album The End of Faith.” The Iberian conspiracy.

The Great Discord – The Rabbit Hole Review

By GardensTale on October 5, 2017 in 2017, Hard Rock, Progressive Metal, Reviews, The Sign Records, Progressive Metal, 64 comments

“A few weeks ago, I described the latest Arch Enemy album as the bad kind of pop metal: too slick, too loud, too focused on choruses and too conscious about image. But there’s a different, less negative definition possible of pop metal: not afraid of loading the songs with easily digestible hooks, catchy melodies, EDM influences, simplistic structure and a focus on vocals. It’s daring, because it seems to aim at a gap between fandoms: too slick and not challenging enough for metalheads, but too heavy for the mainstream.” Pop goes the minstrel.

Astaroth Incarnate – Omnipotence – The Infinite Darkness Review

By Treble Yell on September 11, 2017 in 2017, Black Metal, Canadian Metal, CDN Records, Groove Metal, Reviews, Technical Death Metal, Thrash Metal, Black Metal, Groove Metal, Technical Death Metal, Thrash Metal, 37 comments

“Addition, subtraction, so much of metal involves the bolting-on and prying-off of countless sub-genres. Musicians and critics often fall into the trap of viewing music less as an expression of fertile creativity and more like a chest of drawers awaiting assembly. Start with a death metal base, insert black metal vocals into socket B, affix progressive chords perpendicular to the shelves… wait, we’re missing two slats and I’ve stripped a screw. Billed as a melding of tech death, black, and thrash, Omnipotence – The Infinite Darkness by Toronto natives Astaroth Incarnate had the cynic in me guessing the end-result without listening to a single note.” Maths are hard.

Arch Enemy – Will to Power Review

By GardensTale on September 6, 2017 in 2017, Century Media, Melodic Death Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Power Metal, 179 comments

“It’s a ritual most metalheads born in the 80’s have participated in. At some point, that guy who got into metal a few months before you did comes up to you, brandishing a discman, and says: “You gotta hear this, there’s a band with a chick who can growl!” In 10% of the cases, he’d have Kittie or Otep with him, but most of the time he’d be talking about Arch Enemy, the melodic death metal band whose primary distinguishing feature is having a chick who can growl.” Growlers, man.

X.Kernel – Face the Truth Review

By Dr. Wvrm on July 7, 2017 in 2017, Cimmerian Shade Recordings, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Ukrainian Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 42 comments

“How do you feel about keyboards? Do you like ’em gloomy and atmospheric? Synthy and cheesy? Perhaps the classic piano flavor does it for you. Whatever your tastes, X.Kernel have got you covered. Their debut Face the Truth follows eight long years of melodic rumination and, if the album art can be believed, enough Phoenix Wright to cause nightmares.” Keys to the kingdom.

Night Flight Orchestra – Amber Galactic Review

By Dr. Fisting on May 17, 2017 in 2017, Hard Rock, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Swedish Metal, 81 comments

“Night Flight Orchestra have rapidly escalated from ‘modern metal dudes pretending to be classic rockers’ into something far more authentic and interesting. Their 2012 debut Internal Affairs was a shockingly good burst of late-1970s glory, especially considering the Soilwork and Arch Enemy members involved. 2015’s Skyline Whispers took the band’s sound into the synth-heavy ’80s, resulting in heavy rotation in the AMG office and a spot on my own Top 10(ish) list that year. Further solidifying their legitimacy, NFO recently signed a deal with Nuclear Blast, leading to the release of their 3rd record Amber Galactic.” Sleazy nights, galactic lights.

70000 Tons of Metal: One Man’s Journey

By Mark Z. on March 12, 2017 in 2017, Blog Posts, Live Reviews, 39 comments

“My friends ask me what happened, but my ability to verbally communicate has been reduced to moaning and a weeping noise that sounds something like a baby panda crying for milk. I wonder how I’m going to make it through the final day of this floating festival. I wonder when the aching will subside. I wonder where my life went so wrong. How did I end up here, on the 7th annual 70000 Tons of Metal cruise, weak with exhaustion and feeling like my body has been bludgeoned with a sledgehammer? My mind drifts back…” Tales from a 70000 ton heavy thing.

Witchery – In His Infernal Majesty’s Service Review

By Lord Lucan on November 21, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Century Media, Reviews, Speed Metal, Swedish Metal, Thrash Metal, Black Metal, Speed Metal, Thrash Metal, 40 comments

“For a quality so inextricably linked with metal, at times heaviness can be a difficult characteristic to define. For some it’s all about sheer volume and noise, whereas for others, myself included, attitude and the weight of feeling behind the music are key components. Every now and then, however, a record will come along dripping with such malice and vitriol that it nullifies any need for a debate on the matter entirely.” 8 out of 10 Witchfinder Generals recommend this.

Conceived By Hate – Death & Beyond Review

By Treble Yell on November 12, 2016 in 2016, Death Metal, Morbid Skull Records, Reviews, Salvadoran Metal, Thrash Metal, Death Metal, Thrash Metal, 24 comments

“Are you ready? Are you prepared? It doesn’t matter really, Conceived by Hate are coming for you and your sacred cows with their sophomore album Death & Beyond. Ready to prove that this death/thrash quintet from El Salvador can melt your face just as well as your beloved favorites. There’s no time for frivolous introductions nor loquacious asides, no respite or shelter either. Only the snapping of bones under boots. This is music that kicks in your door, shaves your cat, and screams at your furniture. ” Our furniture had it coming.